Salisbury Cathedral blasts 'stupid' Russian flag stunt

The hoisting of a massive Russian flag on Salisbury Cathedral's scaffolding has been branded "a remarkably stupid thing to do" by bosses at the Wiltshire landmark.

Workmen were seen removing the banner on Sunday, almost one year after a former Russian spy and his daughter were poisoned with the Novichok nerve agent in the city.

Very Rev Nicholas Papadopulos, the Dean of Salisbury Cathedral, said: "This was a remarkably stupid thing to do and makes light of the huge personal tragedies involved, and the damage done to the city by the unprecedented nerve agent attacks on Salisbury last year."

The hanging of the flag, described as a "slap in the face" by one local councillor, reportedly took place overnight.

Thankfully it has been removed now - what a stupid stunt - mocking the serious events sadly experienced in Salisbury last year https://t.co/eDUBFhuOT4

Jo Broom, Conservative representative for the St Martin's and Cathedral Ward, said: "My initial reaction was just one of shock and sadness that someone would choose to do this at any time, but particularly as we're leading up to the first anniversary of the incident and the city is very much trying to be positive.

"Residents will just be very upset; it's just a little bit of a slap in the face."